Listening & Sharing
In this topic, we will learn about the different parts of a Eucharistic Service.
Believers who respond to God’s word and become members of Christ’s Body become intimately united with him: “In that body the life of Christ is communicated to those who believe, and who, through the sacraments, are united in a hidden and real way to Christ in his Passion and glorification.” This is especially true of Baptism, which unites us to Christ’s death and Resurrection, and the Eucharist, by which “really sharing in the body of the Lord, … we are taken up into communion with him and with one another.”
Prayer and reflection
Lord Jesus Christ,
in you we know the love of God.
When we gather together in your name
we experience the marvel of your loving presence
which challenges us to live for one another.
Help us to follow your example
so that we may never become complacent.
Help us to listen to your constant call to us
to continue the work you began,
you who lived and died for us.
Grant this through your Spirit of Love.
Amen.
Journeys
The Church’s celebrations are community occasions. On Sundays, the parish family gathers together. It is a time to remember how much there is to celebrate; a time to say thank you; a time to know that God’s love is offered and made visible here and now in Jesus and in people. Sacraments are more formal special moments: signs of ‘God-with-us’, who journeys with his people; signs of strength and blessing for life.
Prayer and Reflection
Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon who did not die
until he had been privileged to
welcome the Messiah.
In Sacramental Celebrations we meet the Risen Christ.
May he continue to give us life.
Amen.
Promises
Our lives are marked by many different experiences of being welcomed into new situations and groups.
We recognise the importance of welcome, of feeling comfortable with new situations and belonging to new groups. We belong to families, to work places and to social groupings.
Christians believe that everyone is invited to share in the life and work of God through Baptism.
Almighty and eternal God,
you keep together those you have united.
Look kindly on all who follow Jesus your Son.
We are all consecrated to you by our common baptism;
make us one in the fullness of faith
and keep us one in the fellowship of love.
Amen.
Homes
Our first topic is all about homes and how we can create a happy home. God is the loving parent of the human family and Jesus was born and lived in a human family.
Prayer
Father, creator of all,
you ‘ordered the earth’ to bring forth life
and crowned its goodness by
creating family life.
Teach us the beauty of human love,
show us the value of family life
and help us to live in peace
with everyone.
Amen.